Janesville cops arrest four after really, really short pursuit

JANESVILLE—Four men are in custody after what may have been the shortest-lived attempt to flee police in the city's history.

Janesville police Sgt. Jim Holford said a group of adult males tried to flee police in a stolen Jeep SUV, but they only made it a block before the driver of the SUV crashed into a tree about 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Undercover police had been tailing a gray, late-model Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV traveling along Centerway near the city's downtown because the occupants were acting “suspiciously,” Holdford said. A check of plates showed that Madison authorities had reported the SUV stolen.

Holford said marked squad cars began moving into the area,and once the occupants of the SUV noticed police in the area, they tried to flee. He said the SUV fled down the hill on Centerway about a block before it careened north at the corner of Harding Ave and hit a tree at residential property.

All four men got out and tried to run, but officers were able to apprehend them and take them into custody in nearby side yards.

None of the men was seriously injured, and their names have not been released. One of the men was transported to Mercy Hospital and Trauma Center as a “precaution,” after the crash, Holford said.

Holford said police were canvassing backyards to see if any of the men tried to discard any possible weapons or contraband. It's not clear if alcohol was involved in the crash.